by Michelle McDermott Prior to arriving in the desert, it would have been difficult to imagine myself perched on a little white chair in the front row of Phoenix Fashion Week, poised with my Blackberry 8700g in one hand and glass of champagne in the other. New to the country and the fashion writing profession,…
by Michelle McDermott When I made initial plans to stay at the Four Seasons Resort in Scottsdale, I never for a moment would have thought that the surrounding Sonoran Desert and the craggy precipices of Pinnacle Peak would envelop me in a warm blanket of restoration and rejuvenation. Let me elaborate. Earlier that day, I…
by Michelle McDermott Shopping and checking in to Boutique Hotels are two of my favorite things. So much so, that I even have my own website dedicated to these pursuits! [www.ohsoboutique.com] With one week’s vacation time and a clutch of travel tickets, here’s how you can visit three European cities, stay in the best boutique…
by Michelle McDermott Each morning, as my sons wriggle to escape their goodbye kiss from me, I have my pink Noodle bottle waiting and ready for action. Conditioning hair polish, initially formulated to smooth children’s bed head, is in my secret cache of products used to send them to school looking halfway presentable. A quick…
by Michelle McDermott Moving into my newly re-modelled house, a persistent but delightful smell would swirl around my nostrils. I was so intrigued by this aroma, that I called the previous owner’s realtor to figure out its identity. Sadly, to no avail. Yes! smell is powerful and emotional and this played a major part in…
by Michelle McDermott Watch Catherine Zeta-Jones sashay along the red carpet. See how supermodel Tyra Banks holds herself in front of the photographer. Listen to makeup maverick Bobbi Brown instructing models and celebrities on the techniques of makeup application. Each of these women extoll an air of self-confidence and aplomb in their abilities. They can…
by Michelle McDermott It truly was the night before Christmas. In the luxurious surroundings of my upscale, Scottish hotel room, I could hear the muffled sounds of the snow falling gently against the window. As the clock ticked, I drifted off to LaLa Land wrapped in the baby-soft, billowing 500 thread count Frette sheets. Sound…